On Sunday we attended the IBC church once again and we heard from a Danish missionary about her work in Burundi in Africa. After the service we joined everyone for coffee hour and were amazed to meet not only some Americans, but even a family from the Houston area. Not sure the chances of that, but it happened! There are many opportunities to get plugged in at the church once the fall schedule starts. I am looking forward to joining the women's Bible study, led by the lady from Houston (Lufkin to be specific).
Later that day, to practice going to Sophia's school, we went to Hellerup, the suburb north of Copenhagen where her school is located. We took our bikes on the train, then rode the bikes from the train station to Sophia's school. It worked well. We then decided to look around the town on our bikes. We went to the waterfront and it was so beautiful and peaceful. They really know how to build places to live. We also toured Hellerup city center and stopped for a danish and coffee.
On Monday, Sophia had grade placement testing while the parents had a chance to mingle and get to know one another. We got to talking with a mom who had just moved with her daughter to Copenhagen from Ghana for her work. Wouldn't you know she has relatives in Houston and they have been there a few times to see family!
Tuesday Sophia had her first day of school. We walked from our apartment to the train station, took the train, and when we got off, there were our bikes waiting for us that we had left there the day before (we keep being stunned by this--people can leave things outside and they do not get stolen). It was a nerve-wracking day with meeting all new people and being introduced to a whole new system of education.
We were all surprised when Sophia told us after school that not only was she supposed to take Danish, but also French or German. And that nearly all the students in her class seemed to already be fluent in these languages. Yikes! We later learned that the way the school system works is that about 14 different areas of study are offered, and Sophia was to pick 8 or 9. So though she will be taking Danish, she won't also have to learn a third language.
Sophia is making the adjustment to her new surroundings/school slowly but with each day, things seem to get a little better. It will take some time but when I look at how far we as a family have come in our adjustment since moving here three weeks ago, I know things can only get better and a lot easier for Sophia. We are all learning lessons first hand, about what it means to put all of our trust in God. How great it is to know He is faithful to provide for all of our needs! Prayers for Sophia and new friends for her would be appreciated! :)
We are still waiting to get our CPR numbers from the government, which will then allow Leah to get registered for Danish classes so until then, she is hanging out here in the apartment and doing some exploring of the city and learning to ride her bike!
Classes at DIS (Danish Institute for Study Abroad) begin next week so Michael will begin his teaching then, just two days a week for a few hours. It is sooo nice for him to be able to just walk down one block to work! We are finding that living in the city center definitely has its advantages. Beside being close to Michael's work, it pretty much is close to EVERYTHING! There is a sandwich shop at the bottom of our flat that we tried out for the first time yesterday. Let's just say Subway doesn't quite compare--it was so good!
Being able to go out after dinner (or whenever) with Michael for evening cappuccinos and strolling through the streets is so fun and it's at times like this when I feel abundantly blessed and thankful. We are definitely experiencing a slower pace of life, which we welcome whole-heartedly!
Copenhagen weather changes by the minute, it seems, but in general it has been hovering around 68-70 degrees, rain showers off and on, cloudy then sunny. . .pretty much get a smattering of all weather in some form throughout the day! We are enjoying the cooler temps for sure, especially when we know how hot August CAN be.
We had heard how safe the city of Copenhagen is and have certainly found that to be true. It occurred to me that we have only seen one police car passing through and recently a police officer riding a bike, but he was not carrying any sort of weapon or even in a full uniform---clearly no need to be! The restaurants that line the streets have tables/chairs that stay out all night, not to mention our bikes which we just keep outside the train station by Sophie's school. The trains are very nice and kids just hop on the train to school by themselves here. I would have to say they are safer than the school buses back in the states!
Next weekend we are planning to take a drive over to Sweden, spending the weekend outside the city of Lund---only 45 minutes away, gotta love that! We plan to stay in a cottage in the country and explore the area. Until next time. . .
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| Canal boat tour---one of the bridges we went under. |
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| A view of homes in Nyhaven area of Copenhagen--colorful! |
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| Family fun on the canal boat tour. |
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| The infamous Little Mermaid statue in the harbor. |
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| Practice bike ride to school. |
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| Looking out over the peaceful harbor in Hellerup. |
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| First leg of trip to school--3-4 block walk to train station. Two nice restaurants, steak place on the left/Italian on the right, University of Copenhagen library straight ahead in red brick building. |
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| A very cool picture that Leah took of Sophia while waiting for the train! It looks to me like she's going to Hogwart's school or perhaps Narnia? ;) |
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| The train ride to school (about 5-10 min.) |
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| Off the train in Hellerup, now getting the bikes for the 3-4 blocks to school (although finding that kids pretty much walk to school from the train, which she has been doing instead.) |
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| Sophia's school---Rygaard's. Believe me, it does not sound anything like it is spelled! lol |
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| On our way back from bringing Sophia to school, we stop for latte's and croissant. :) |
